House Science and Technology Committee Reauthorizes COMPETES, Making Large Investments in STEM Research

WASHINGTON, D.C.--Yesterday evening, the House Committee on Science and Technology passed the America Creating Opportunities to Meaningfully Promote Excellence in Technology, Education and Science Act (COMPETES). As a Member of the Committee, Representative Marcia L. Fudge (D-OH) championed provisions in the bill to strengthen STEM education in minority communities.
"I'm proud that we maintained the Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program that places participants, from schools such as Case Western Reserve and Cleveland State Universities, in high needs schools. It's important that as students succeed, they then help other students," said Rep. Fudge. "The Noyce scholarship program at Case Western, for example, will place STEM teachers in high needs schools in the Shaker Heights, and Cleveland Heights School Districts. That is a great example of 'each one teaching one.'"
The Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program within the National Science Foundation (NSF), provides scholarships to cover teacher certification costs for college students in STEM disciplines. The scholarship requires Noyce graduates to teach for 2 years in a high needs school district for every year funding is received.
Rep. Fudge also included an amendment in COMPETES requiring greater collaboration between NSF and Department of Education to tackle the grand challenges in STEM education research.
"The iPhone and the GPS are two recent inventions created as a result of federally funded research," said Rep. Fudge. "Imagine the possibilities, if we eliminate all barriers to STEM research. With American ingenuity and proper funding, the possibilities are endless."
COMPETES has, as its core, 3 goals:
•    Investing in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education;
•    Setting our basic research programs on a doubling path – National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), National Science Foundation (NSF), and Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Science; and
•    Addressing the need for innovation in the energy sector by creating an Advanced Research Projects Agency for Energy (ARPA-E) to pursue high-risk, high-reward energy technology development.
The Science and Technology Committee, which has jurisdiction over COMPETES, is chaired by Representative Bart Gordon (D-TN), who pledged to reauthorize this important Act before retiring.
"The reauthorization and strengthening of COMPETES is a testament to Chairman Gordon's passion for STEM education, leadership, and willingness to build consensus among a diverse group of Members," said Rep. Fudge. "He makes serving on this Committee a joy. I'm sorry to see him retire, but wish him well."

For additional information about the America Creating Opportunities to Meaningfully Promote Excellence in Technology, Education and Science Act (COMPETES), please visit the House Committee on Science and Technology.